Harry Gurney and Ben Stokes shone for the England Lions, sharing seven wickets to down South Africa A in the first one-day match of their tour in Bloemfontein.
Gurney’s 3-26, alongside an impressive 4-22 from Stokes, broke the back of the South African batting order, leaving a chase completed by Samit Patel, ending the match unbeaten on 17, sealing a four-wicket victory with 93 balls remaining.
Gurney spoke before the match of his hopes to push his case for England selection as early as the ICC Cricket World Cup with this Lions series, and his work with the ball will certainly serve to push his case.
David Wiese offered the most resistance to the Lions attack, reaching a 39 from 38 deliveries, but regular strikes kept hopes of a South African partnership low. Gurney picked up the wicket of Reeza Hendricks in his first over, the opening batsman nicking behind to ‘keeper Sam Billings.
His subsequent scalps, as well as four for Stokes, a couple for Boyd Rankin and another for Liam Plunkett, ensured that South Africa A could only post 172 for their ten wickets.
Jason Roy started the chase positively, but the South Africa A bowlers proved competitive. Alex Lees, James Vince and Jonny Bairstow couldn’t pass 15, so it came to 31 from Stokes, before a partnership worth 39* between Samit Patel and Liam Plunkett saw the Lions home.
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to take in what promises to be an absorbing contest and secure your seat now.